Dubai is taking a direct step to push local music beyond its borders.
Dubai Culture and Arts Authority has signed a new partnership with Spotify, aimed at helping Dubai-based artists reach global audiences and build sustainable music careers. The agreement marks the first time a government cultural body in the emirate has formally partnered with a global music streaming platform.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed in the presence of Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture, underscoring the strategic importance of the move.
A public–private model focused on artists
Through the partnership, Dubai Culture and Spotify will work together to support Emirati and UAE-based musicians at different stages of their careers. The focus is practical. Career development. Global visibility. Long-term growth.
Rather than one-off promotions, the collaboration sets out to create ongoing opportunities. Both sides will share industry insights, align on international best practices, and co-develop initiatives that reflect how the global music business actually works today.
Tools, training, and audience insight
At the core of the agreement is direct support for artists.
Dubai Culture and Spotify will roll out programmes that help musicians understand their audiences, use data more effectively, and sharpen their creative and commercial decisions. In parallel, the partnership will offer training, mentorship, and development sessions designed to help artists compete on an international level.
The aim is simple. Help talent turn creativity into a viable career, not just a short burst of attention.
Putting Dubai’s music scene on display
The partnership will also include music-led projects that spotlight Dubai’s diverse creative community. These initiatives will showcase local sounds, encourage cultural exchange, and support experimentation across genres.
In doing so, the collaboration supports Dubai’s broader ambition to position itself as a global hub for culture and creativity, with music as a key pillar of that ecosystem.
Building on existing foundations
Dubai Culture already runs a wide range of programmes for creatives, including grants, artist residencies, and learning initiatives. This partnership adds a missing layer. It connects local talent directly to global distribution and discovery.
At the same time, Spotify brings existing regional programmes that fit naturally into this framework. Initiatives such as RADAR Arabia and playlists like Fresh Finds Arabia already help emerging artists reach audiences far beyond the region.
Together, these efforts create a clearer pathway from local development to international exposure.
Speaking on the agreement, Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture, said the partnership reflects the authority’s long-term focus on talent development. She stressed that consistent, structured support remains essential for artists to grow sustainable careers.
From Spotify’s side, Gustav Gyllenhammar, Senior Vice President of Markets and Subscriptions, said the collaboration would strengthen Dubai’s music ecosystem while opening global listening markets to local artists.
Taken together, the message is clear. Dubai is no longer only hosting global culture. It is actively exporting its own.
The MoU also marks a rare step. It formalises a partnership between a government cultural body and a global music platform, setting a new model for how cities can scale creative talent beyond their borders.
Photo: Gulf News
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